Renovating an old house in Italy on a budget: save without cutting corners

Renovating an old house in Italy doesn’t have to mean emptying your bank account, but it does mean being strategic, patient and clear about where every euro goes.

Whether it’s a stone farmhouse in Le Marche or a tired townhouse in a small village, renovating on a budget is about prioritising safety, choosing smart materials and phasing the work sensibly rather than cutting corners.

What “on a budget” really means in Italy

In Italy, the cost of renovating a house “on a budget” usually means accepting that:

• The renovation will still be a significant investment.
• Most of the money goes into structure, roof and systems.
• Cosmetic upgrades can come later, in phases.

As a reality check, restoring a ruin in regions like Le Marche has been costed at around €1,500 per m², including a full rebuild, wiring, plumbing, roofing and mid‑range fixtures. 

One 180 m² ruin was bought for roughly €20,000 and rebuilt for about €270,000, so close to €300,000 in total. The purchase price was the smallest part of the overall budget.

Before thinking about tiles, paint colours and terrazza (roof terrace) furniture, it helps to ask:

• How much money is genuinely available, including a contingency?
• How much of the house must be tackled immediately?
• Can you live in the property during works, or will you stay elsewhere?

Focus on structure and safety first

Structural and safety works are the least glamorous line items and one of the cons of renovating a house in Italy, but they are non‑negotiable in older Italian properties.

Unsplash

Roof, walls and seismic safety

Italy is a seismically active country, particularly in central regions like Umbria, Abruzzo and parts of Le Marche. Many older homes also suffer from roof leaks and crumbling stonework.

On a budget, it’s wise to:

• Ask a geometra, architect or engineer to check the roof condition, any sagging beams, cracks in walls and foundations, and any existing anti‑seismic measures.
• Prioritise roof repair or replacement, structural reinforcement where required and basic drainage around foundations.

Electrical and plumbing systems

Many old Italian houses still have outdated wiring and improvised plumbing. To keep long‑term costs under control:

• Plan to replace old wiring rather than endlessly patching it.
• Group bathrooms and kitchens vertically or back‑to‑back to minimise complex plumbing runs.
• Combine system upgrades with other messy work (such as chasing walls before plastering) so trades aren’t repeating tasks.

Insulation and damp proofing

Thick stone walls can trap moisture and lose heat. Addressing this early on will save money and hassle later:

• Treat damp in cellars and ground‑floor rooms.
• Use breathable insulation that suits traditional construction.
• Improve draft‑proofing and seals around windows and doors, even if you don’t replace all window frames immediately.

Choose cost‑effective materials that still feel Italian

Once the structure and systems are sorted, the focus can shift to finishes. This is where a budget‑friendly renovation can still feel authentic. Drawing on practical ideas for renovating your home in Italy, you can mix locally sourced materials, simple plaster finishes and classic colours to keep costs down while preserving that unmistakable Italian character.

Pexels

Flooring on a budget

Flooring can quickly eat into a renovation budget, especially with handmade tiles or high‑end parquet. More cost‑aware options include:

• Porcelain stoneware tiles that imitate wood, marble or traditional cotto (terracotta‑style tiles).
• Keeping existing floors where possible by sanding and sealing original tiles.

Walls, plaster and finishes

You don’t need designer paints for a good result:

• Use simple plaster and white or neutral paint as a first phase.
• Where the underlying masonry is attractive, remove damaged plaster and repoint the stone instead of replastering everything.
• Use feature walls sparingly – one statement area in a key room rather than expensive finishes throughout.

Kitchens and bathrooms without the markup

Kitchens and bathrooms are often where budgets go wild.

To keep them under control:

• Use standard‑size cabinets and avoid too many bespoke units.
• Start with an affordable, functional kitchen and add one or two standout elements.
• In bathrooms:
  • Keep the layout as close as possible to existing plumbing.
  • Choose simple, Italian‑made tiles and mid‑range sanitaryware.
  • Prioritise a well‑installed shower and decent ventilation over high‑end extras.

Use layout instead of extensions to control costs

Rather than extending or adding floors – which usually means expensive structural work and more complex permits – improve the layout within the existing footprint.

Unsplash

Open‑plan living (within reason)

Making a house feel more spacious doesn’t always require more square metres:

• Remove non‑structural partitions to turn a series of small, dark rooms into a larger living‑dining area.
• Keep structural walls and major beams in place unless a professional confirms they can be altered safely and within budget.

Keep plumbing points where they are

Moving bathrooms and kitchens across the house is one of the fastest ways to blow a budget. When funds are tight:

• Stack bathrooms on top of each other in multi‑storey houses.
• Avoid relocating the kitchen to the opposite side of the building unless absolutely necessary.

Make use of “good enough” rooms

Some spaces may not be perfect, but they’re fine for now:

• Use an upstairs room as a temporary bedroom while funds go into essential ground‑floor works.
• Treat some rooms as a clear “Phase 2”, keeping them simple until finances recover.

DIY vs professional work: what you can safely tackle yourself

Doing some work yourself can make a real difference to the budget, but only in the right areas.

Unsplash

DIY tasks that genuinely save money

These are sensible places to save if you have the time and energy:

• Interior painting and basic decorating.
• Sanding and repainting internal doors, shutters and simple furniture.
• Fitting shelves, curtain rails and non‑structural fixtures.
• Preparing rooms (masking, cleaning, removing old wardrobes) before trades arrive.

Work that must stay with professionals

Doing some work yourself can make a real difference, but only in the right areas.

DIY tasks that save money

Good candidates for DIY include:

• Interior painting and basic decorating.
• Sanding and repainting internal doors, shutters and simple furniture.
• Fitting shelves, curtain rails and other non‑structural fixtures.
• Preparing rooms (masking, cleaning, removing old wardrobes) before trades arrive.

Work that must stay with professionals

Certain jobs in Italy are tightly regulated and should always be handled by qualified tradespeople:

• Structural work and anti‑seismic measures.
• Electrical installations and rewiring.
• Plumbing and gas systems, including boilers.
• Roof structure and major waterproofing.

Permits and incentives: protecting your budget the smart way

Pexels

Understand when you need permission

Italian bureaucracy is part of any legal renovation. The permit or notification you need depends on the scale of the work and whether the building is in a protected area.

At minimum, it’s worth budgeting for a geometra or architect to:

• Advise on which paperwork is required.
• Submit the correct forms to the comune (local council).
• Liaise with contractors and ensure compliance.

Tax deductions and reduced VAT

Renovation incentives and tax deductions change over time, but in recent years, homeowners have often been able to:

• Use schemes such as the House Renovation Bonus or green schemes
• Pay a reduced 10% VAT rate on many qualifying home renovation and repair works, instead of the standard rate.

Cheap property in need of renovation for sale in Italy

Stay in the know about living in Italy as a foreigner—get our weekly newsletter for the latest travel, legal, and lifestyle news.